Hoarding In Hell [EN]: Chapter 269

269. Skyfall (6)

“Impossible.”

Adam Fault replied sharply, his voice unwavering.

Maria Keller gritted her teeth, ready to argue, but Adam cut her off.

She immediately maneuvered her wheelchair toward the exit. A Chrome agent was already holding the elevator, waiting.

“Adam!”

Maria realized that from the moment Adam entered the room, he had been prepared to evacuate her.

Likely, transportation would be waiting for them after the elevator ride to whisk them out of the city.

“Professor, please calm down. It’s too risky to initiate the Tepes Case [a protocol involving a brutal display of power] here. Sky Drops [fragments falling from Skyfall] will rain down on the city. Besides, many national leaders are still within the city limits.”

“That’s precisely why we must act!”

Maria pressed Adam, her voice urgent.

She wasn’t panicking. Instead, through logical deduction, she saw this situation as an opportunity.

“If we leave them to their own devices, they’ll turn on each other! We must act preemptively! If we demonstrate a clear disparity in power, no one will dare to challenge us! That’s the most effective way to minimize casualties!”

The Tepes Case was, in essence, ‘the impalement execution’.

A protocol designed to enforce compliance through a brutal example.

Therefore, the more prominent the target, the closer they were to national leadership, the greater the impact would be.

Considering the bloodshed humanity would endure in future conflicts, Maria deemed the potential slaughter in St. Petersburg a necessary evil.

“Besides, Sky Drops has descended to a lower altitude for occupation. Even if they fall, the damage will be localized. Once Sky Drops ascends, we’ll lose the opportunity to implement the Tepes Case!”

“It’s out of the question.”

Adam’s response was firm.

His refusal wasn’t driven by concern for civilian casualties.

“I cannot tolerate any action that could jeopardize your safety, Professor, even in the slightest.”

Adam Fault would only consider using the Tepes Case when Maria was safely away from danger.

Maria, enraged, slapped Adam’s cheek with a file. Adam’s head snapped to the side, but she remained unmoved.

In the underground parking lot, where they arrived via the elevator, a bulletproof vehicle idled, its engine running.

The Chrome agent doubling as the driver, a 4-star ability user, glanced at Adam with concern.

“Are you certain about this? I believe it would be safer if Mr. Adam Fault personally escorted you.”

Adam possessed the strength to lift the entire hotel. But Maria shook her head.

“Traveling by air with enemies present is unwise. Furthermore, other ability users will attempt to board Skyfall by any means necessary. Clearing the blocked roads will make ground travel safer.”

“But if we encounter monsters… No, I needn’t worry about that.”

After all, the most powerful ability user was accompanying her.

Adam embraced Maria and helped her into the car. Maria glared at Adam, her eyes blazing.

“Adam, if we escape like this, we’ll miss our chance. We must prevent those others from seizing Skyfall.”

“I can’t act if you remain here, Professor.”

Adam attempted to reason with Maria.

“Once your safety is assured, I’ll intervene immediately. If they covet Sky Drops so much, I’ll ensure they receive only shattered fragments.”

***

“No, what in the world is that…”

President Kim Si-hoo nervously bit his nails, his gaze fixed on the sky.

The outline of Skyfall was faintly visible through the city’s lights. The bizarre patterns distorting the sky filled him with unease.

The wriggling tentacles that suddenly plunged toward the ground conjured images of himself impaled.

“Kang Hyun-moo, has anyone contacted the hunter Kang Hyun-moo!”

“All radio communications are down. Cell phones, emergency networks…”

Even the radio, housed in a copper case to shield it from EMP [electromagnetic pulse] attacks, was inoperable.

This indicated that the jamming wasn’t mere radio interference; the entire city of St. Petersburg was enveloped in a thick, impenetrable barrier.

“Then find him! Otherwise…”

“Otherwise what?”

The unwelcome but welcome voice startled him.

President Kim Si-hoo was overjoyed to see Kang Hyun-moo scaling the window frame.

“Otherwise… I’ll hug you and dance! What on earth is that thing?”

“You’ve reviewed the data. It’s called Skyfall.”

“Why now…? Ah, never mind. This is an emergency! We need to evacuate immediately; this isn’t the time to stand around!”

Hyun-moo subtly suppressed President Kim Si-hoo’s will to quell his agitation. The president soon calmed down.

Whether drooling and slobbering like a zombie qualified as calm was debatable.

“Contact Prime Minister Almut. Well, given this unprecedented opportunity, I’m confident they’ve made a sound decision independently.”

“Independently about what…?”

The problem was that intelligence also diminished when will was suppressed. Hyun-moo released President Kim Si-hoo’s will again.

The president was less frantic, perhaps due to Hyun-moo’s brief suppression.

“Uh, weren’t we developing a plan distinct from the Pan-Human Front? I don’t believe any specifics have been finalized.”

“Specifics are determined as the situation unfolds. The crisis is here; now is the time to act.”

“But the preparations…”

“Preparations? Do you believe we’ll ever be this prepared again?”

President Kim Si-hoo looked puzzled.

Preparations?

They had been caught off guard; no one could have anticipated such a scenario.

Hyun-moo stepped aside and tore down the curtains, revealing the city’s nightscape. Helicopters were ascending from all over the city.

“Everyone has thoroughly analyzed Skyfall. Each country is acting independently, and the strongest ability users are gathered in one location. Do you think we’ll ever have another opportunity like this?”

***

The sudden appearance of Skyfall was shocking, but Maria Keller and Hyun-moo weren’t the only ones who recognized the opportunity.

Nearly all leaders who acted swiftly ordered the mobilization of hunters and secured air transport.

“Go.”

Tatatatatata.

At President Petrovich’s command, the deafening roar of helicopter propellers echoed across St. Petersburg.

Hundreds of helicopters carrying heavily armed hunters rose from various locations, creating a spectacular display.

President Petrovich, clad in the same gear as the hunters, was aboard one of the helicopters.

His sunken eyes surveyed the burning city below.

Russia, having prepared air transport, was the first to move, but other countries weren’t idle.

“Acquire support. If you can’t obtain it, buy it; if you can’t buy it, seize it.”

Lin Huimin of the South China Union, humiliated by Hyun-moo, couldn’t dwell on it for long.

It was beneficial to know that Kang Hyun-moo had no intention of fostering a friendly relationship.

Of course, Russia wouldn’t simply hand over military helicopters.

Instead, the South China Union ambushed Russian hunters, eliminated them, and commandeered their helicopters. When that wasn’t enough, they hijacked broadcasting helicopters.

Helicopters stained with blood ascended from various locations. But even that wasn’t easy.

“Lin Huimin, a fighter jet is approaching!”

A scramble order was issued by the Russian Air Force, and a fighter jet was dispatched.

However, the moment the fighter jet flew beneath Skyfall, communication was lost.

With the fate of national leaders uncertain and the difficulty in distinguishing friend from foe, the Russian fighter jet had only one option.

Eliminate anyone who wasn’t an ally.

Bang! Kwakwang!

Lin Huimin bit his lip as he watched the hijacked broadcasting helicopter being shot down by machine-gun fire.

Several hunters from the South China Union were aboard.

He had forgotten that another country besides themselves could fire upon broadcasting helicopters without hesitation.

More embarrassing was the futile loss of top-tier ability users.

“We can’t simply endure this.”

Lin Huimin ordered the helicopters above him to be targeted.

His helicopter was an attack helicopter, equipped with weapons.

The enemy was any helicopter above them.

No hunters from the South China Union had taken off before them.

In other words, those above were all enemies.

Fireworks illuminated the dark night sky.

It was hard to believe that these were the same people who had pledged unity in the name of the Pan-Human Front just hours earlier.

The darkness was clawed, exploded, burned, bled, and screamed.

Even before the monsters’ attack had properly begun, more people were dying at the hands of people.

Amidst this chaos, even Prime Minister Almut, who had been hesitant to attack Skyfall, was urgently attempting to contact the outside world using every available means.

“Wireless isn’t working? The landline is also cut off? Then run! Run to a place where the signal works!”

Unfortunately, her options were limited, much like President Kim Si-hoo’s.

She realized once again how dependent modern civilization was on radio waves and satellites. But she couldn’t remain passive.

The appearance of Skyfall was clearly a situation Russia hadn’t anticipated.

Regardless of Russia’s intentions, missing this opportunity would only prolong the dominance of the Russian-led Pan-Human Front.

Thus, Prime Minister Almut had no choice but to suddenly become an advocate.

“Prime Minister Almut!”

Just then, Prime Minister Almut breathed a sigh of relief as she saw the person entering the room.

It was President Kim Si-hoo and his entourage.

“Oh my, what a relief. It seems your accommodation was nearby? Wait, where is Hunter Kang Hyun-moo? We need to discuss this with him immediately…”

“Hunter Kang Hyun-moo is preparing to depart with the core forces of the Almighty Alliance. Prime Minister Almut, let’s evacuate with us. A transport helicopter is waiting.”

“A transport helicopter? But…”

The sky was already a battlefield. A mistake could wipe out the leaders of both countries.

“Rest assured. We have someone who will guarantee your safety.”

Prime Minister Almut then noticed a blond Caucasian man in a priest’s robe behind President Kim Si-hoo’s entourage.

It was a familiar face.

She couldn’t possibly forget him. He was one of Germany’s few 4-star hunters.

“Priest Johann…”

“It’s been a while, Prime Minister.”

Almut remembered his somewhat somber demeanor, but now his face seemed more relaxed.

He looked better than when he was wandering through conflict zones around the world.

Prime Minister Almut nodded in relief.

“With Priest Johann here, I can rest assured. Alright. I’ll entrust Skyfall to Mr. Kang Hyun-moo, and I’ll do my best to support him. We’ll need someone to coordinate on the ground as well.”

Prime Minister Almut answered, anticipating President Kim Si-hoo’s request.

In this situation, there was no other reason to rescue her.

President Kim Si-hoo, his message stolen, could only look sullen.

‘Kang Hyun-moo…’

Prime Minister Almut was relieved that things were progressing smoothly, but she also felt a slight unease.

Kang Hyun-moo’s actions were too swift and precise.

It was fortunate that he was on their side, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that well-oiled gears were turning.

***

After many close calls, Mei Lunhai breathed a sigh of relief as he boarded Skyfall.

Less than half of the helicopters that had taken off from the ground had reached Skyfall.

Many top-tier hunters had died in vain, either shooting at each other, being struck by missiles, shot down by anti-aircraft fire, colliding with falling monsters, or being ensnared by tentacles and crashing.

“Damn it, find the dungeon entrance quickly! The Russian bastards arrived first!”

Mei Lunhai shouted as he spotted a half-destroyed helicopter on Skyfall.

The helicopter appeared to have crash-landed.

The Pan-Human Front’s objective was to stabilize Skyfall, but now the situation had changed.

The deep-seated animosity between Russia and China was being replayed on Skyfall.

“Move quickly!”

“Hey, no need to rush. What’s the point of speed? You’ll just die faster.”

The unsettling voice came from the wrecked helicopter.

Suddenly, something flew from behind the helicopter, and Mei Lunhai caught it in a daze.

It was a severed head.

Mei Lunhai immediately recognized the black mask as belonging to a Russian hunter.

“They’re really bad at landing. I should have taken yours.”